How Mother Nature Affects Our Sleep

Posted By: Sleepy's - The Mattress Experts

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We often speak about dressing our bedroom and household environment to induce a calming atmosphere and provoke sleepiness. However, it is not only
our inside environment that impacts our sleeping patterns. In fact, the conditions outside can have a significant impact too.

When the weather changes our sleep is influenced, so it is beneficial to be aware of these changes and prepare ourselves accordingly.

Here are a few tips to prepare for whatever Mother Nature throws at us, for an amazing sleep all year round!

1. Make time for sunlight

During the winter, the days get shorter and if you work in an office, you see less and less sunlight. However, it is important
to spend at least ten minutes in the sun every day, whether it be in the morning, during your lunch break or for an afternoon walk. Even if there
is a window in your office exposed to sun, try to work or stand there.

Exposure to sunlight is how we take in Vitamin D, which in turn influences our serotonin production – an important part of our sleep cycles. Lower
Vitamin D levels have been associated with greater day time drowsiness, and can make you feel tired earlier or later than usual.

As we know, temperature plays a role in our circadian rhythms. Research suggests that cooler air supports a deep sleep, so it’s
important to keep our bedrooms cool whether it be summer or winter. One way to create this temperature drop is to take a warm bath an hour before
bed, and take off extra layers of clothing.

3. Prepare for Humidity

During summer the humidity can be unbearable, having a negative impact on the quality of our sleep. Make sure you equip your
sleeping quarters to deal with it! For example, sleep in as little clothing as possible or thin cotton pyjamas, choose cool, lightweight bedding
and sheets, and crank up the fans or air-con. If you are already a hot sleeper, it might be worth investing in a mattress equipped to draw heat
away from your sleeping body. For example, Sleepy’s Chiro Reach has been designed with graphene infused visco, helping to regulate your temperature
while you sleep. There’s nothing worse than waking up sweaty (make sure you are using a mattress protector!)